Profiling Wales’ Qualification Opponents

The last time that Wales featured in a major competition finals was the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, although we mustn’t forget that Mike Smith’s boys did reach the last eight of a convoluted European Championships in 1976, battling to a 1-1 draw in Cardiff but losing out over two legs to a strong Yugoslavia side.

The draw for Euro 2016 has prompted Chris Coleman and his players to react confidently on the back of two good results towards the end of the 2014 World Cup campaign, with the manager claiming that a place at France 2016 is “up for grabs”.

So with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belgium, Israel, Cyprus and Andorra lying in wait for Wales, what do we have to worry about?

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Bosnia-Herzegovina have shown consistent promise in the past five years, culminating in successful qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Finishing top of their group with 25 points, Bosnia-Herzegovina were only beaten once during the campaign and scored 30 goals, including glut of 8 away at Liechtenstein. In 2012, Coleman watched his team lose 2-0 to Bosnia-Herzegovina in his first home game in charge. Along with Belgium, this team are a difficult proposition for the rest of Group B, and Wales will need to be on top form to get the better of them.

Danger man: Edin Džeko – Manchester City front man and leading national team goalscorer.Continue reading

Premier League New Season Opening Fixtures

The Premier League have released the fixture list for the 2013-2014 season, throwing up a number of interesting fixtures on the opening weekend, starting on Saturday 17th August.

New Manchester United boss David Moyes has a tricky beginning to his life with The Red Devils, as they travel to South Wales to take on Swansea City at the Liberty. Whether or not Michael Laudrup is still Swans manager is yet to be seen, but United are sure have a game on their hands in the Valleys.

Manchester City face a tough test in hosting Newcastle United at the Etihad, after a troubling 2012-2013 season, The Magpies will be looking to get off to a strong start to impress the new and ever-demanding Director of Football, Joe Kinnear.

Mourinho begins his second Chelsea stint with a match at Stamford Bridge against newly promoted Hull. Steve Bruce will be delighted to make his return to the Premier League, and will be hoping to make a big impression on a day where the focus will be on The Special One’s return to London.Continue reading

Premier League Moments of the Season

Football always throws up some unforgettable moments. But just incase you do forget them, here’s a collage of the very best we’ve seen in the 2012-2013 Premier League season.

It all starts again on the 17th August 2013! But for now, re-live the gems from the season that just passed….

The Ref Gets Involved

Premier League referee Lee Probert found himself closer to the action than he would have liked when Steve Sidwell and Ben Watson (neither is a man to pull out of a tackle) collided with Probert bang smack in the middle.

It was a proper 50/50 challenge, with both players going in a little too hard, but it was the referee who came off worse, and needed the attention of the medical team before continuing with the match.

Santos’ Half-Time Swapsie

Andre Santos was not exactly in the Arsenal fans’ good books before this due to his lackadaisical performances for the Gunners during their most difficult period this season.

But asking for van Persie’s shirt at half-time really took the biscuit.

He barely featured for Arsenal after that, and went on loan to Grêmio in February.

Suarez Munches Ivanovic

Suarez attempts to take a chunk out of Ivanovic’s forearm, and is promptly banned for 10 matches. Cue endless puns about Suarez biting off more than he can chew, “Chewy” Suarez, and the like.

It remains to be seen whether he has pushed Rodgers that bit too far, or whether he himself has had enough of Liverpool and English football.

Same old Suarez… always eating.

Evra Takes Up Arms

Great stuff from Patrice Evra, and from whoever threw that severed arm onto the Old Trafford turf.

Just a few days after Suarez is caught in the act, United win the Premier League by beating Aston Villa. During the celebrations, Evra finds himself with a severed arm. Naturally.

Thank the lord, common sense prevailed, and no actions were taken against Evra.

Fabrice Muamba Returns to White Hart Lane

After his cardiac arrest on 17th March 2012, Muamba’s heart stopped beating for over 70 minutes. Miraculously, he survived. This is the remarkable moment in November when Muamba returned to the ground where it all happened.

A great ovation from the Spurs fans.

Mulumbu Loses It

We’ve all wanted to do this at some point. In fact, we almost certainly have done it as a nipper in the school playground. West Bromwich Albion’s Mulumbu is 26. He did it anyway.

Accuracy and power.

“Score the Winner in the FA Cup Final”

Technically not Premier League news, but who cares? I didn’t think Ben Watson would feature in two magic moments of the season this year, and his second mention is a little more impressive than the first, although I’m sure we’d all love to clatter a referee every now and again. Minutes after coming on as a late substitute, Watson scores a superb header to win Wigan the FA Cup at Wembley. Story.

They were relegated from the Premier League 3 days later.

Fergie Waves Adios

After 26 years in charge of Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson retires as manager to take up a position on the board. His sendoff at Old Trafford was a moment to behold, and his speech to the crowd was a fitting way to end. David Moyes now takes over at one of the biggest clubs in the world, and his first job is to decide on the future of one Wayne Rooney.

Oh, and we mustn’t forget Mr. Paul Scholes, who also bows out this season, along with Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher, David Beckham, and Phil Neville.

The Special One goes out with a bang in the Copa del Rey final, which Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Atlético. Both Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo were red carded in an extremely heated derby match. Madrid have since confirmed that Mourinho will be leaving at the end of this season.